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A Brief and Exciting History of Tipping

Probably it has happened to each of us to leave a tip. Tipping is an inherent part of public catering. We don’t even think about it and take it for granted. However, what is the origin of tipping and where was it conceived?

So, there is a theory that tips might have originated in the late Middle Ages when a master gave his servant some money as a sign of good will. In the 16th century, guests at English mansions should give a “vail”- some money at the end of the visit to compensate the owner's servants who did more work than usual. However, by 1760 all the servants and valets expected for the “vail”, because of this guests had to pay a lot of money. The gentry tried to complain and as a result, an attempt to abolish vails in London in 1764 led to rioting. Tipping soon spread in Britain in such places as taverns, hotel, and pubs.

However, it isn’t still clear when the word "tip" came into the English language. Tipping may have originated in the taverns of England in the 17th century. Visitors who entered these taverns or pubs could put some money to a Tip Jar to get better and more qualified service. These Jars bore a sticker that read, "To insure promptitude". People who put some money into the jar got prompt services from the waiters. Later this was shortened to “T.I.P.” and then tip. So this practice spread all over Europe. However, many people don't believe this story and refute it. They say that the word Tip just means "To give" or "To pass on".

Tipping in the USA began after the American Civil War in 1800’s when reach Americans traveled to Europe and saw tipping. They brought the aristocratic custom to the US to prove their elevated education and class. However, in 1890 some people didn’t like tipping and believed that tipping went against the country’s ideals because tipping showed that a clear servile class financially depends on a higher class.

By the 1900’s tipping is considered the norm for Americans, but they are often criticized for overtipping by the British. In 1908, Travel magazine said that Americans gave big tip but got worse service because they didn’t know how to treat servants.

In 1915, six states tried and failed to pass an anti-tipping bill that would make leaving gratuities unlawful. However, by 1926, every anti-tipping law had been abolished.

So people tried to make tipping illegal but they failed and tipping is a social norm now, but some people still believe that tipping should be banned.

Probably it has happened to each of us to leave a tip. Tipping is an inherent part of public catering. We don’t even think about it and take it for granted. However, what is the origin of tipping and where was it conceived?

So, there is a theory that tips might have originated in the late Middle Ages when a master gave his servant some money as a sign of good will.